Portable intake air sterilizing apparatus

ABSTRACT

A portable intake air sterilizing apparatus is disclosed, which allows prevention of a worker&#39;s infection with virus/bacteria and which can allow, at the same time, the worker to work comfortably. The apparatus includes a cover member C for covering one or both of the nose and the mouth, an air intake portion K for the inner space of the cover member C, and a chlorine dioxide slow-release portion J capable of releasing chlorine dioxide gas into an intake air in association with introduction of this intake air from the air intake portion K.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This is a divisional of application Ser. No. 12/738,058, filed Jun. 23,2010, which is a U.S. national phase application based on InternationalApplication No. PCT/JP2008/067917, filed on Oct. 2, 2008, which claimspriority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2007-267965, filed Oct.15, 2007, the entire content of each of which is incorporated herein byreference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a portable intake air sterilizingapparatus for use in sterilizing intake air.

BACKGROUND ART

For instance, when a worker carries out a work in an environment withvirus, bacteria, or the like being afloat therein, it is necessary toprevent the worker from being infected with the virus, the bacteria, orthe like. As some examples of the case when a worker carries out a workin an environment with virus, bacteria, or the like being afloattherein, such cases are conceivable where a medical personnel, a rescueworker, an epidemic researcher, etc. contacts a patient infected withrespiratory virus, such as influenza virus, or where a worker is tosterilize a poultry house where avian influenza has occurred.

Conventionally, for the prevention of viral/bacterial infection, thereis known a construction comprising an air intake portion for introducingambient air, a cover member for covering a worker's nose and mouth, anda flexible tube for establishing communication and connection betweenthe air intake portion and the inner space of the cover member, whereininside the air intake portion, there is provided a filter allowingpassage therethrough of the intake air from the air intake portion, andthis filter is configured to prevent passage of the virus/bacteria (suchtechnique like this is a widely used well-known technique, not allowingcitation of any specific prior-art document).

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

In the case of the above-described conventional construction, when theintake air from the air intake portion passes the filter, thevirus/bacteria contained in this intake air is/are eliminated, soinfection of the worker with the virus/bacteria can be prevented.However, virus, in particular, is so small (80 to 120 nm in the case ofavian influenza virus) that it is necessary to make the pore diameter ofthe filter extremely small in order to prevent passage of such extremelysmall size virus, thus resulting in very high flow passage resistanceagainst the intake air in the course of its passage through the filter.As a result, the worker would suffer breathing difficulty and the workercould not work comfortably.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-described stateof the art and its principal object is to provide a portable intake airsterilizing apparatus which allows prevention of a worker's infectionwith virus/bacteria and which allows, at the same time, the worker towork comfortably.

According to the first characterizing feature of the portable intake airsterilizing apparatus of the present invention, the apparatus comprisesa cover member for covering one or both of the nose and the mouth, anair intake portion for the inner space of the cover member, and achlorine dioxide slow-release portion capable of releasing chlorinedioxide gas into an intake air in association with introduction of thisintake air from the air intake portion.

That is, as the chlorine dioxide slow-discharge portion releases anamount of chlorine dioxide gas into the intake air, thus inactivatingvirus or sterilizing bacteria contained in this intake air, even ifvirus, bacteria, or the like present in the atmospheric air directlyenters the cover member through a gap space other than the air intakeportion, it is still possible to prevent the worker from being infectedwith the virus/bacteria. Therefore, there is no need to provide thefilter that causes significant flow resistance against the intake airdrawn from the air intake portion, and the breathing difficulty for theworker can be minimized, so that the worker can work comfortably.

Accordingly, there has been achieved a portable intake air sterilizingapparatus which allows prevention of a worker's infection withvirus/bacteria, or the like and which allows, at the same time, theworker to work comfortably.

According to the second characterizing feature of the present invention,the cover member comprises a bowl-shaped mask body having no airpermeability, and in this mask body, there is formed the air intakeportion having a dust-proof filter, and the chlorine dioxideslow-release portion is placed on the inner side of the dust-prooffilter.

That is, the intake air is forced to pass the air intake portion formedin the mask body and pass the chlorine dioxide slow-release portionplaced on the inner side of the dust-proof filter provided in this airintake portion. Therefore, if a further filter is provided on the innerside of the dust-proof filter and the chlorine dioxide slow-releaseportion is formed with utilizing the space surrounded by thesedust-proof filter and further filter, the construction can be formedsimple.

According to the third characterizing feature of the present invention,the cover member comprises a bowl-shaped mask body having no airpermeability, and in this mask body, there is formed the air intakeportion having the chlorine dioxide slow-release portion, and in aninner space covered with the cover member, there are provided an ambientair introducing portion for introducing ambient air, the ambient airintroducing portion being provided separately from the air intakeportion, and an adjusting valve for adjusting flow amount from theambient air introducing portion.

That is, an ambient air introducing portion for introducing ambient airis provided in the inner space covered with the cover member separatelyof the air intake portion and there is also provided an adjusting valveto adjust the flow amount from the ambient air introducing portion.Therefore, by increasing the flow volume from the ambient airintroducing portion by adjusting the adjusting valve in case theconcentration of the chlorine dioxide gas from the air intake portion ishigh or by decreasing the flow amount from the ambient air introducingportion by adjusting the adjusting valve in case the concentration ofthe chlorine dioxide gas from the air intake portion is low, thereforethe concentration of chlorine dioxide gas in the inner space coveredwith the cover member can be maintained appropriate in an easy manner.

According to the fourth characterizing feature of the present invention,the mask body incorporates a check valve for allowing only air to beexhaled to the outside from the inner space covered with the mask body.

That is, when the air is inhaled, the chlorine dioxide slow-releaseportion releases chlorine dioxide gas into this inhaled air, thuspreventing virus/bacteria, or the like infection of the worker; andalso, when the breathed air is exhaled, since the breathed air isexhaled to the outside from the inner space covered with the covermember through the check valve to the outside, the breathed air can beexhaled easily and smoothly, in the almost total absence of flowresistance against it. In addition, as the discharge of chlorine dioxidegas into the exhaled air is prevented by the chlorine dioxideslow-release portion, the apparatus can be used continuously for a longtime.

According to the fifth characterizing feature of the present invention,the cover member comprises a mask formed of one or both of a cloth or anon-woven fabric having air permeability, and the mask functions also asthe air intake portion, and the chlorine dioxide slow-release portioncapable of releasing chlorine dioxide gas is formed by holding achlorine dioxide slow-release material inside the mask.

That is, the chlorine dioxide slow-release portion can be formed byholding the chlorine dioxide slow-release material capable of releasingchlorine dioxide gas inside the mask formed of one or both of a cloth ora non-woven fabric having air permeability, virus/bacteria, or the likeinfection of the worker can be prevented simply with the worker'swearing of the mask.

According to the sixth characterizing feature of the present invention,the air intake portion is communicated and connected to the other end ofa flexible tube whose one end is communicated and connected to the covermember, and in the air intake portion, there is formed the chlorinedioxide slow-release portion comprising a chlorine dioxide generatingsource including a chlorine dioxide slow-release material cable ofreleasing chlorine dioxide gas.

That is, as the air intake portion having the chlorine dioxideslow-release portion comprising a chlorine dioxide generating source isconnected and communicated with the cover member covering one or both ofthe nose and the mouth via a flexible tube, the air intake portion andthe cover member can be placed apart from each other. Therefore, forinstance, by attaching the air intake portion to the back or around thewaist of the body, it becomes possible to provide the chlorine dioxidegenerating source with a greater amount of the chlorine dioxideslow-release material, thus allowing use for an extended period of time.

According to the seventh characterizing feature of the presentinvention, the chlorine dioxide generating source comprises a generatingsource body having a honeycomb-like or grating-like cross section formedof a plurality of cylindrical portions for allowing passage of intakeair integrated together, and on the inner side of each one of theplurality of cylindrical portions in the generating source body, thechlorine dioxide slow-release material is attached.

That is, as the intake air flows from the air intake portion through theplurality of cylindrical portions, the chlorine dioxide slow-releasematerial attached to the inner side of each one of the plurality ofcylindrical portions releases an amount of chlorine dioxide gas into theintake air. Therefore, the chlorine dioxide slow-release material can beeasily contacted with the intake air. At the same time, in comparisonwith the arrangement of intake air being forced to pass the chlorinedioxide slow-release portion, the flow resistance experienced by theintake air in the course of its passage through the plurality ofcylindrical portions can be reduced, so the breathing difficulty for theworker can be minimized; hence, the worker can work even morecomfortably.

According to the eighth characterizing feature of the present invention,the chlorine dioxide slow-release material comprises an adsorbentmaterial containing an amount of chlorine dioxide gas adsorbed thereto.

That is, an adsorbent material containing an amount of chlorine dioxidegas adsorbed thereto can be easily attached to the mask. Moreover, evenwhen the slow-releasing ability from the adsorbent material hasdecreased, the material can be reused by causing the material to adsorbchlorine dioxide gas again. Furthermore, due to a pressure drop causedby intake of air within the mask, the adsorbed chlorine dioxide gas canbe released in an efficient manner when needed.

According to the ninth characterizing feature of the present invention,the adsorbent material comprises a substance selected from the groupconsisting of a gel agent made of synthetic resin, activated charcoal,zeolite, silica gel or a mixture thereof.

That is, as the adsorbent material, a generally readily availablematerial or substance such as a gel agent made of synthetic resin,activated charcoal, zeolite, silica gel, or the like can be employed.Also, the material can be provided inexpensively.

According to the tenth characterizing feature of the present invention,the air intake portion is communicated and connected to the other end ofa flexible tube whose one end is communicated and connected to the covermember, and in the air intake portion, there is formed the chlorinedioxide slow-release portion comprising an electrolysis device forgenerating an amount of chlorine dioxide through an electrolysis.

That is, with an activating switch operation of the electrolysis device,the chlorine dioxide gas can be easily generated and the adjustment ofthe generation amount and stopping of the generation can also beexecuted easily.

According to the eleventh characterizing feature of the presentinvention, the electrolysis device includes an electrolysis bath holdingtherein an amount of electrolysis solution containing alkaline chloride,alkaline chlorite and a pH adjustor, a pair of electrodes submerged intothe electrolysis solution held in the electrolysis bath, and a powersupply unit for supplying electric current to the electrodes.

That is, the electrolysis device can be composed of the simpleconstruction of an electrolysis bath, electrodes and a power supplyunit. So, the device as a whole can be made inexpensive.

According to the twelfth characterizing feature of the presentinvention, there is provided an aeration device for aerating theelectrolysis solution held in the electrolysis bath.

That is, chlorine dioxide gas generated by electrolysis is readilydissolvable in water, so by providing an aeration device, the chlorinedioxide gas dissolved in the electrolysis solution can be purged intothe air during the use of the apparatus, whereby the supplyingefficiency can be enhanced.

According to the thirteenth characterizing feature of the presentinvention, the aeration device comprises an intake air blowing flexibletube having its one end inserted into the electrolysis solution andhaving its other end connected to the cover member.

That is, only by providing an intake air blowing flexible tube, theaeration device can be prepared. Moreover, with a simple manualoperation, the chlorine dioxide gas dissolved in the solution can bereadily taken out into the air.

According to the fourteenth characterizing feature of the presentinvention, the aeration device comprises an electrically driven airpump.

That is, if the aeration device comprises an electrically driven airpump, the chlorine dioxide gas dissolved in the electrolysis solutioncan be purged into gas again to be taken out continuously therefrom.

According to the fifteenth characterizing feature of the presentinvention, the chlorine dioxide slow-release portion is configured sothat in association with intake of the air from the air intake portion,the concentration of the chlorine dioxide gas contained in the intakeair may range from 0.001 ppm to 0.3 ppm.

That is, if the chlorine dioxide gas concentration is below 0.001 ppm,it is difficult to inactivate virus or sterilize bacteria. On the otherhand, if the chlorine dioxide gas concentration exceeds 0.3 ppm, thismay provide adverse effects on the human body. Therefore, by thearrangement of rendering the chlorine dioxide gas concentration to rangefrom 0.001 ppm to 0.3 ppm, it is possible to inactivate virus orsterilize bacteria and to prevent adverse effects on the human body atthe same time.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of a portable intake airsterilizing apparatus relating to the first embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a horizontal section view of the portable intake airsterilizing apparatus relating to the first embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a horizontal section view of a portable intake air sterilizingapparatus relating to the second embodiment;

FIG. 4 is an overall perspective view of a portable intake airsterilizing apparatus relating to the third embodiment;

FIG. 5 is an overall perspective view of a portable intake airsterilizing apparatus relating to the fourth embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a horizontal section view of a portable intake air sterilizingapparatus relating to a further embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a horizontal section view of a portable intake air sterilizingapparatus relating to a further embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a horizontal section view of a portable intake air sterilizingapparatus relating to a further embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a horizontal section view of a portable intake air sterilizingapparatus relating to a further embodiment; and

FIG. 10 is a view showing a chlorine dioxide generation source and achlorine dioxide slow-release portion in a further embodiment.

BEST MODE OF EMBODYING THE INVENTION The First Embodiment

In the following, a portable intake air sterilizing apparatus relatingto the present invention will be described.

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, there is provided an air-impermeablebowl-shaped mask body 1 as a cover member C for covering the nose andthe mouth, and in the mask body 1, there is formed an air intake portionK having a dust-proof filter 2. And, on the inner side of thisdust-proof filter 2, there is provided a chlorine dioxide slow-releaseportion J cable of releasing chlorine dioxide gas into intake air inassociation with its intake from the air intake portion K. Furthermore,in the mask body 1, there are provided check valves 3 for allowing onlyoutlet of the air from the inner space surrounded by the mask body 1 tothe outside and separately of the air intake portion K, there is alsoprovided an ambient air inlet portion 7 for introducing ambient air tothe inner space covered with the mask body 1. An ambient air valve 8 isprovided as an adjusting valve for adjusting the inlet amount of the airfrom the ambient air introducing portion 7.

Referring more particularly to the above, at the top of the bowl-shapedmask body 1 made of resin and acting as the cover member C for coveringthe nose and the mouth, there is provided the substantially circulardisc-shaped air intake portion K for introducing ambient air to theinner space of the mask body 1. On the front and rear sides of a lateralwall 4 of the air intake portion K, circular filter paper sheets 2 asdust-proof filters, are provided in spaced relationship with each other.And, between these circular filter paper sheets 2, there is charged anamount of particulate chlorine dioxide agent 6 as a chlorine dioxideslow-release material 5 and a gap space between the peripheral edge ofeach circular paper sheet 2 and the lateral wall 4, an amount of puttyis filled, thus constituting a chlorine dioxide slow-release portion Jaltogether. On the opposing lateral sides of the air intake portion K inthe mask body 1, there are provided the check valves 3 for allowing onlyexhaust of the air from the inner space covered with the mask body 1 tothe outside, and on the upper side of the air intake portion K in themask body 1, the cylindrical ambient air inlet portion 7 is provided.And, at a mid position of the ambient air inlet portion 7, there isprovided the ambient air valve 8 as an adjusting valve for adjusting theinlet amount of the air from the ambient air introducing portion 7 byvarying the air flow rate.

Referring further to the particulate chlorine dioxide agent 6, thisagent was prepared by weighing 8.58 g of 80 wt % sodium hypochlorite,25.71 g of particulate matter comprising silicate mineral salt substance(diatom earth, zeolite, kaolin, pearlite, bentonite, etc.) and 15.71 gof calcium chlorite, respectively and then mixing these together. Whenthis was actually attached in the mask body 1 and the chlorine dioxideconcentration was determined with using a chlorine dioxide gas detectingtube, a value of 0.1 ppm was detected. This concentration is between0.001 ppm and 0.3 ppm and is capable of inactivating virus and/orsterilizing bacteria contained in the intake air and is also capable ofpreventing adverse effects to the human body.

The chlorine dioxide gas concentration ranges preferably from 0.01 to0.3 ppm, more preferably from 0.1 to 0.3 ppm.

The anti-viral effect, the anti-bacterial effect, and the anti-fungaleffect of chlorine dioxide can be utilized for the treatment ofinfectious diseases.

As examples of causative agents of viral diseases, many can be citedwidely such as influenza viruses (type A, type B, and type C), avianinfluenza virus, coxsackievirus (causative agents of hand, foot andmouth disease, aseptic meningitis, summer cold, febrile disease,paralysis, and airway disease), AIDS virus (HIV), HHV-1 (herpes simplexvirus type 1 (HSV-1)), HHV-2 (herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2)),HHV-3 (chickenpox • herpes zoster virus (VZV)), HHV-5 (cytomegalovirus(CMV)), adenovirus, enterovirus, and so on.

As the causative agents of bacterial diseases, e.g. Staphylococcusaureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Streptococcus, Neisseria gonorrhoea,syphilis, and so on can be cited. Furthermore, as the causative agentsof fungal diseases, Trichophyton, Malassezia, Candida and so on can becited.

Furthermore, generally, for the generation of chlorine dioxide gas, anacid and water are needed. In this invention, carbon dioxide gas andwater contained in the ambient air and carbon dioxide gas and watercontained in the exhaled air can be utilized to this end.

The Second Embodiment

In the following, a portable intake air sterilizing apparatus will bedescribed.

As shown in FIG. 3, the cover member C for covering the nose and themouth is provided as a mask 11 formed of cloths 11 a having airpermeability and the chlorine dioxide slow-release material 5 is heldinside the mask 11, thus constituting the chlorine dioxide slow-releaseportion J capable of releasing an amount of chlorine dioxide gas intothe intake air in association with its intake from the mask 11.

Referring more particularly to the above, the mask 11 comprises aplurality of cloths 11 a superposed in the laminar form along thethickness direction thereof, and in an air-permeable bag 12, there ischarged an amount of particulate chlorine dioxide agent 6 as thechlorine dioxide slow-release material 5, thus forming a flat bag 13 andthis bag 13 is inserted between these cloths 11 a, thereby forming thechlorine dioxide slow-release portion J. Therefore, the mask 11functions also as the air intake portion K.

The Third Embodiment

In the following, a portable intake air sterilizing apparatus will bedescribed.

As shown in FIG. 4, the air intake portion K is communicated andconnected to the other end of a flexible tube whose one end iscommunicated and connected to the cover member C, and in the air intakeportion K, there is formed a chlorine dioxide slow-release portion Jcomprising a chlorine dioxide generating source H including a chlorinedioxide slow-release material 5 cable of releasing chlorine dioxide gas.

Referring more particularly to the above, a polyethylene container 16having a capacity of 200 ml and an ear-hooking type cotton mask 17having the shape preservation capability are communicated and connectedto each other via a polyethylene tube 14 as a “flexible tube”. Insidethe polyethylene container 16, there is charged gel-like chlorinedioxide agent 19 as the chlorine dioxide slow-release material 5 toapproximately one third of the container capacity, thus forming thechlorine dioxide slow-release portion J, and an air inlet (not shown) isprovided in the polyethylene container 16, thus forming the air intakeportion K. And, an opening/closing valve 21 is provided at theconnecting portion between the polyethylene tube 14 and the polyethylenecontainer 16.

Referring more particularly to the gel-like chlorine dioxide agent 19,for its preparation, 50 g of lithium chlorite is dissolved in 950 ml ofwater to prepare 50000 ppm lithium chlorite aqueous solution (SolutionA). Chlorine dioxide gas is dissolved by bubbling in water to prepare2500 ppm chlorine dioxide aqueous solution (Solution B). 10 g of lithiumchlorite is dissolved in 990 ml of water to prepare 10000 ppm lithiumchlorite aqueous solution and into this, 5 g of citric acid is dissolvedto prepare lithium chlorite aqueous solution containing citric acid(Solution C). Thereafter, 200 ml of the lithium chlorite aqueoussolution (Solution A), 700 ml of the chlorine dioxide aqueous solution(Solution B) and 100 ml of the citric acid containing, lithium chloriteaqueous solution (Solution C) are mixed and stirred sufficiently at theroom temperature to prepare 1000 ml of chlorine dioxide agent (SolutionD), and 384 ml of this chlorine dioxide agent (Solution D) is added to16 g of a highly water-absorbent resin of cross-linked polyacrylate, andthe resultant mixture is stirred sufficiently at the room temperature.

Then, when this was actually attached in the cotton mask 17 and thechlorine dioxide concentration was determined with using a chlorinedioxide gas detecting tube, a value of 0.1 ppm was detected. Thisconcentration is between 0.001 ppm and 0.3 ppm and is capable ofinactivating virus and/or sterilizing bacteria contained in the intakeair and is also capable of preventing adverse effects to the human body.

Additionally, an electrically driven blower fan can be provided forforcibly feeding chlorine dioxide toward the cover member C inside thepolyethylene tube 14.

The Fourth Embodiment

The air intake portion K is communicated and connected to the other endof a flexible tube whose one end is communicated and connected to thecover member C, and in the air intake portion K, there is provided anelectrolysis device for generating an amount of chlorine dioxide gasthrough an electrolysis, as the chlorine dioxide slow-release portion,as shown in FIG. 5.

This electrolysis device includes an electrolysis bath (cylindricalpolyethylene container 16) holding therein an amount of electrolysissolution 32 containing alkaline chloride composed of alkaline chloride,alkaline chlorite composed of sodium chlorite, and a pH adjustorcomposed of dibasic potassium phosphate (K₂HPO₄), a pair of a positiveelectrode 28 and a negative electrode 29 submerged into the electrolysissolution 32 held in the electrolysis bath, and a power supply unit 33for supplying electric current to the electrodes.

The flexible tube for communicating and connecting this electrolysisdevice and the air intake portion is provided as a polyethylene tube 14for introducing an amount of chlorine dioxide gas generated from theelectrolysis bath to the inside of the cover member C, the positiveelectrode 28 is a Pt/Ir plated titanium electrode (15 mm×50 mm), and thenegative electrode 29 is a titanium electrode (15 mm×50 mm).

Furthermore, the power supply unit 33 comprises a electric source suchas a dry cell battery 31, the positive electrode 28, and the negativeelectrode 29 connected with each other via an electric current regulator30, so as to allow adjustment of the amount of generated chlorinedioxide gas as desired through adjustment of electric current.

The electrolysis device includes an aeration device 34 for aerating theelectrolysis solution 32 held in the electrolysis bath, and the aerationdevice 34 includes an exhaled air inlet flexible tube 15 formed of apolyethylene tube having one end thereof inserted into the electrolysissolution 32 and the other end thereof connected to the cover member C.In operation, as a user blows his/her exhaled air into the other end ofthe exhaled air inlet flexible tube 15 provided inside the cover memberC, the inside of the electrolysis solution 32 is aerated, so that theamount of chlorine dioxide gas dissolved in the liquid can be purgedout.

Alternatively, as the aeration device 34, instead of providing theexhaled air inlet flexible tube 15, an electrically driven air pump canbe provided.

Further Embodiments

(1) In the first embodiment described above, as an example of thechlorine dioxide slow-release portion J, there is described thearrangement wherein on the front and rear sides of the lateral wall 4 ofthe air intake portion K, the circular filter paper sheets 2 asdust-proof filters, are provided in spaced relationship with each otherand between these circular filter paper sheets 2, there is charged anamount of particulate chlorine dioxide agent 6 as the chlorine dioxideslow-release material 5. Instead of this, between these circular filterpaper sheets 2 and in spaced relationship relative to these circularfilter paper sheets 2, an amount of gel-like chlorine dioxide agent 19may be provided, thereby to form the chlorine dioxide slow-releaseportion J. Furthermore, a circular paper sheet 2 may be provided on thefront side of the lateral wall 4 of the air intake portion K and anair-permeable bag 12 may be charged with particulate chlorine dioxideagent 6 as the chlorine dioxide slow-release material 5, thereby toconstitute a flat shaped bag 13 and this bag 13 may be attached on theinner side of the circular paper sheet 2, thus forming the chlorinedioxide slow-release portion J. Furthermore, the chlorine dioxideslow-release portion J may be constituted by placing, on the inner sideof the circular filter paper sheet 2, a communication tube connected toa small cylinder charged with a low-concentration, compressed chlorinedioxide gas therein.

(2) In the first embodiment described above, the check valves 3 wereprovided for allowing only exhaling the air from the inner space coveredwith the mask body 1 to the outside. However, the check valves 3 may notbe provided.

(3) In the second embodiment described above, the cover member C wasconstructed as the mask 11 formed of the air-permeable cloths 11 a.Instead of this construction, the cover member C can be constructed as amask formed of air-permeable, non-woven fabric or as a mask formed ofboth the air-permeable cloth 11 a and the non-woven fabric. That is, themask 11 is not limited to the assembly of a plurality of cloths 11 asuperposed in the laminar manner along the thickness direction thereof.Alternatively, the mask 11 can be constructed from a plurality ofnon-woven fabrics superposed in the laminated manner in the thicknessdirection thereof or a plurality of cloths 11 a and non-woven fabricssuperposed in the laminar manner along the thickness direction thereof.

Furthermore, the cover member C for covering the nose and the mouth canbe a bowl-shaped mask having air-permeability and shape retentivity. Inthis case, on the inner side of the bowl-shaped mask, a plurality ofparticulate chlorine dioxide slow-release materials 5 may be distributedin the mask, or on the inner side of the bowl-shaped mask, flat shapedchlorine dioxide slow-release material 5 may be disposed in oppositionto the nose and the mouth. By using such constructions, it is possibleto minimize the leak of chlorine dioxide gas to the outside.

(4) In the second embodiment described above, there was described anexemplary arrangement in which the chlorine dioxide slow-release portionJ was formed by inserting the bag 13 between the plurality of cloths 11a superposed along the thickness direction thereof. Instead of thisarrangement, as shown in FIG. 6, the chlorine dioxide slow-releaseportion J may be formed by providing a plurality of chlorine dioxideslow-release materials 5 in distribution between the plurality of cloths11 a superposed along the direction of the thickness thereof.Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 7, the chlorine dioxide slow-releaseportion J may be formed by impregnating one of the plurality of cloths11 a superposed along the direction of the thickness thereof withgel-like chlorine dioxide agent 19. Still further, as shown in FIG. 8and FIG. 9, on the outer side of the mask (the opposite side away fromthe nose and the mouth), a wire 22 or a plate 23 may be provided, andthe chlorine dioxide slow-release material 5 may be provided on theinner side of such wire 22 or plate 23. With the use of suchconstructions, it is possible to minimize the leak of chlorine dioxidegas to the outside.

(5) In the third embodiment described above, there was described anexemplary arrangement in which inside the polyethylene container 16,there is charged gel-like chlorine dioxide agent 19 as the chlorinedioxide slow-release material 5 to approximately one third of thecontainer capacity, thus forming the chlorine dioxide slow-releaseportion J comprising the chlorine dioxide generation source H and an airintake hole (not shown) is provided in the polyethylene container 16,thus forming the air intake portion K. Instead of such arrangement, asshown in FIG. 10, inside the container 24, there may be provided achlorine dioxide generating source H comprising a generating source body26 having a honeycomb-like or grating-like cross section formed of aplurality of cylindrical portions 25 for allowing passage of intake airintegrated together, and on the inner side of each one of the pluralityof cylindrical portions 25 in the generating source body 26, thechlorine dioxide slow-release material 5 is attached. And, the airintake portion K may be formed by providing air intake holes 27 on theupstream side in the flow direction of the intake air in the container24. Furthermore, the generating source body 26 is not limited to the onehaving the honeycomb-like cross section, but may have a variety of formssuch as a grating-like form of triangular grating, square grating, etc.

(6) In the respective foregoing embodiments, there were explained theexemplary constructions in which the cover member C for covering thenose and the mouth is provided. Instead of such construction, there maybe provided a cover member C for covering only the nose or a covermember C for covering only the mouth. As some specific examples of thecover member C for covering only the nose, there can be cited a nosemask to be inserted into the nose hole or a tube to be placed below thenose.

(7) In the first and second embodiments described above, there wereexplained the exemplary constructions in which the chlorine dioxideslow-release material 5 is provided as the particulate chlorine dioxideagent 6 comprising sodium hypochlorite, silicate mineral substance, andcalcium chlorite. To this, a pH adjustor such as citric acid may beadded.

(8) The chlorine dioxide slow-release material 5 may be an adsorbentmaterial containing an amount of chlorine dioxide gas adsorbed thereto.This adsorbent material may be a substance selected from the groupconsisting of a gelling agent made of synthetic resin, activatedcharcoal, zeolite, silica gel or a mixture thereof.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present invention is applicable to a variety of portable intake airsterilizing apparatus comprising a cover member for covering one or bothof the nose and the mouth, an air intake portion for the inner space ofthe cover member, and a chlorine dioxide slow-release portion capable ofreleasing chlorine dioxide gas into an intake air in association withintroduction of this intake air from the air intake portion.

What is claimed is:
 1. A portable intake air sterilizing apparatus,comprising: a cover member for covering one or both of a nose and amouth; an air intake portion for an inner space of the cover member; anda chlorine dioxide slow-release portion capable of releasing chlorinedioxide gas into an intake air in association with introduction of thisintake air from the air intake portion, wherein the air intake portionis communicated and connected to an end of a flexible tube whose otherend is communicated and connected to the cover member, and in the airintake portion, there is formed the chlorine dioxide slow-releaseportion comprising a chlorine dioxide generating source including achlorine dioxide slow-release material cable of releasing chlorinedioxide gas.
 2. The portable intake air sterilizing apparatus accordingto claim 1, wherein the chlorine dioxide generating source comprises agenerating source body having a honeycomb-like or grating-like crosssection formed of a plurality of cylindrical portions for allowingpassage of intake air integrated together, and on an inner side of eachone of the plurality of cylindrical portions in the generating sourcebody, the chlorine dioxide slow-release material is attached.
 3. Theportable intake air sterilizing apparatus according to claim 1, whereinthe chlorine dioxide slow-release material comprises an adsorbentmaterial containing an amount of chlorine dioxide gas adsorbed thereto.4. The portable intake air sterilizing apparatus according to claim 3,wherein the adsorbent material comprises a substance selected from thegroup consisting of a gel agent made of synthetic resin, activatedcharcoal, zeolite, or silica gel.
 5. The portable intake air sterilizingapparatus according to claim 2, wherein the chlorine dioxideslow-release material comprises an adsorbent material containing anamount of chlorine dioxide gas adsorbed thereto.
 6. The portable intakeair sterilizing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the adsorbentmaterial comprises a substance selected from the group consisting of agel agent made of synthetic resin, activated charcoal, zeolite, orsilica gel.
 7. The portable intake air sterilizing apparatus accordingto claim 1, wherein the chlorine dioxide slow-release portion isconfigured so that in association with intake of the air from the airintake portion, the concentration of the chlorine dioxide gas containedin the intake air may range from about 0.001 ppm to 0.3 ppm.